IEDC Minutes 09-03-2019MINUTES
INDUSTRIAL & ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (IEDC)
Tuesday, September 3rd, 2019 — 7:00 a.m.
North Mississippi Room, Monticello Community Center
Members Present: Kevin Steffensmeier, Joni Pawelk, Wayne Elam, Luke Dahlheimer, Dick Van
Allen, Don Roberts, Andrew Tapper, Christopher Church, Randy Skarphol, Kari
Moorhouse, and Meghan Hanson
Members Absent: Darek Vetsch, Steve Johnson, Mike Carr, and Elizabeth Calpas
Liaisons Present: Mayor Brian Stumpf, Jeff O'Neill, Jim Thares, Marcy Anderson, Duane
Northagen, and Tim Zipoy
1. Call to Order
Kevin Steffensmeier called the regular meeting of the IEDC to order at 7:00 a.m.
2. Approve Minutes:
a. August 6th, 2019 meeting minutes
CHRISTOPHER CHURCH MOVED TO APPROVE THE AUGUST 6TH, 2019
MEETING MINUTES. RANDY SKARPHOL SECONDED THE MOTION.
MOTION PASSED, 11-0.
3. Consideration of Adding Items to the Agenda
None.
RANDY SKARPHOL MOVED TO APPROVE THE AGENDA. JONI PAWELK
SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 11-0.
4. Manufacturer's Week Event Planning Update and Discussion
Jim Thares provided an update regarding Manufacturer's Appreciation Breakfast
(formerly Industry off the Year). He indicated that the event would be held on October 9"
at 7 a.m. A tour of Bondhus Corporation's facility, located at 1400 East Broadway, will
take place after the event. Thares indicated that all of the manufacturers in Monticello
were invited to attend. Each table will feature a spotlight of a manufacturing business in
Monticello. Thares also stated that staff is still working on securing a speaker.
5. Consideration of BR&E Visits — Verbal updates to be provided
Jim Thares stated that the BR&E visits have concluded for 2019. There was a total of six
visits. Thares indicated that staff and the IEDC would complete an additional four in the
coming year. Key information learned regarding Midwest Precision Machining, 108
Chelsea Road East, involved ongoing concerns of electricity brownouts and total power
interruption affecting their equipment and finished products. He also stated that a direct
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — September 3rd, 2019 Page 114
result of the visits was the opportunity to get a initial discussion going regarding the
proposed expansion of UMC.
6. Table Tonic: Workforce Development — Wright County Workforce Pathways
Duane Northagen and Jim Thares
Duane explained that the Workforce Pathways effort has been using the past 8 to
10 months to survey and research the problem and organize a multi -faceted
solution and awareness effort addressing workforce issues. A monthly meeting
involving school district leaders, business managers, Workforce Center staff and
public officials have been able to outline a plan of creating a central resource with
its own website (Wheel). The next step is to finalize the Wheel and make it live
on the internet followed by holding meetings with businesses in each community
in the County at which time they can be introduced to school leaders regarding
opportunities to engage students through job shadowing and internships. The
Monticello meeting date has not been set yet.
7. Reports (Verbal Reports):
a. Economic Development
Jim Thares provided an update from Economic Development. In summary, he
presented the following:
• The Briggs Companies are continuing progress on their multifamily
building. The building is a three story, underground parking facility with
47 units. At least 20 percent of the units will be affordable as required
under the TIF statutes government funding was provided. Per the housing
study, there is a need for 250 additional housing units. Brigg's
development is expected to be completed by May 2020.
• Headwater's Development has begun grading of their site. They are
building a 92 -unit senior living facility.
Thares also provided the prospect list. He explained that Project Novus which has
been on the list since 2017 is UMC's expansion. He noted that they would like to
purchase the property to the east. They would build a new 40,000 square foot facility
with the total investment reaching about $9,000,000. The completion of the project is
projected to include an additional 60 jobs. Thares also discussed that in order for the
land to be purchased it will require TIF and possibly tax abatement. A land transfer
would also occur with the City for a 20 -acre piece of residential development
property that is on Edmonson.
Thares also summarized the request from Ausco Design. They are running out of
space at their current facility and have located a better suited site. The expansion
would include an additional three jobs. They are looking for gap financing.
Thares also indicated that Project Jaguar is not on the list and should be. The project
would be an office concept with 20,000 square feet. A total of 22 jobs would be
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — September 3rd, 2019
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retained and 3 jobs would be created. The expected investment is 3 million dollars.
Thares indicated that Polaris is looking at an interior expansion. He explained that
their product line would be increased and new jobs were expected to be created.
b. Planning Commission Agenda (attached)
c. City Council
Jeff O'Neill provided an update on behalf of the City Council. He noted the
following projects:
• The City of Monticello would be updating their 2008 Comprehensive
Plan. The IEDC would be encouraged to participate as necessary.
• The Central Mississippi River Regional Planning team would be
completing a study to determine the final additional river crossing.
• An update regarding the 1-94 expansion to Clearwater was discussed.
• The City received a concept stage PUD submission for a parcel on Chelsea
Road. The concept was for a mix of commercial with multi -family
residential.
• The Star Tribune has contacted City staff regarding UMC and other
development activity. O'Neill noted that he may need support and
participation from the IEDC in responding to the Star Tribune.
• The Walnut Street improvements are completed.
• Bertram Regional Park continues to make progress.
• The Blandin Foundation has awarded Monticello for its role in leadership
related to the creation of Fibernet. The IEDC was asked to participate in
receiving the award.
d. Chamber of Commerce
Marcy Anderson stated that Business After Hours would begin again on
September 11 th at the American Legion.
Anderson also noted that Riverfest for 2020 would be on July 9thg through the
12th.
Wayne Elam noted that he could not attend the first Comprehensive Plan meeting.
He noted that someone from the IEDC could attend in his place. He also
explained that Clifton Larson Allen has entered in to a lease at the Fallon Avenue
Office suites.
Jim Thares noted the next meeting would be September 24th. The October
meeting (October 1, 2019) would be cancelled for the Manufactures' Week
Appreciation Breakfast.
8. Adjournment
Industrial and Economic Development Committee Minutes — September 3rd, 2019
Page 3 1 4
RANDY SKARPHOL MOVED TO ADJOURN THE MEETING AT 8:01 A.M. LUKE
DAHLHEIMER SECONDED THE MOTION. MOTION CARRIED, 11-0.
Recorder: Jacob Thunander
Approved: September 24th, 2
Attest:
J' hares, Economic Development Director
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